Daniel Sauro's Obituary
Daniel (Danny) Sauro, 91, of Syracuse, NY, fell into the waiting arms of Our Lord on Sunday, February 18, 2018. He was born in Syracuse on May 11, 1926. Daniel grew up in Tipperary Hill. Following high school graduation Dan bravely served his country in the US Army and was a WWII Purple Heart recipient. Dan was passionate about life and always of photography. He worked masonry to put himself through "Antonelli Institute of Photography" in Philadelphia. Upon graduation he worked as a photographer in Dey Brothers Department Store where he met and soon married his loving wife Marie of 35 years. In 1947 Dan opened and operated his first portrait and wedding studio in his parents’ living-room. Soon afterwards he expanded to a store front in downtown Syracuse where he served the Syracuse community his entire life. He truly loved what he did and always said "If you love your job you won't work a day of your life". Driven to continue learning, Daniel was an active member of "Professional Photographers of America" and quickly earned his "Masters Degree of Photography". Among his peers Dan was one of the most known and respected photographers in the state. His diligence and constant desire for growth routinely earned him nationally acclaimed “Loan Collection” awards for his excellence in portrait and wedding photography.
Daniel lived his life to the fullest. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, construction, hand-ball and watching the NY Yankees. His family was everything to Dan. After years of mourning his beloved wife, Daniel ventured out and took up ballroom dancing where he met Bernadine Ryan. Bernie and Dan remained life partners till his final days 35 years later. Dan renovated a Chittenango carriage barn on 50 acres of wooded land with cascading waterfalls. He made this property into his dream home that was always open to all. On acres that he meticulously manicured, many family holidays, reunions and special occasions were shared here. He called it the Ponderosa.
Daniel was a devout Catholic who lived the "word” in all that he did. Sunday mass was a weekly routine worship for him not a holiday exhibition.
Dan was predeceased by his loving wife Marie; his son, Daniel Jr.; parents, Carmella and Giuseppe Sauro; brothers, Anthony, Michael and twin brother Nicholas. Left to honor Daniel’s memories are his sons, Duane (Mary) of Baldwinsville, Dale of Rochester, Dean of Parish, Dennis of Syracuse and Darryl of Connecticut; his brother, John (Diane) of Camillus; sisters, Ann Dadey of Nevada and Lucy Stewart of West Virginia; grandchildren, Rachel and Cole, and devoted partner, Bernadine Ryan, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 23, 2018 at THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Funeral Mass in celebration of Daniel’s life at 11:00 am in St. Matthew’s Church. Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, DeWitt. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse.
Contributions may be made to CNY Alzheimer's Association, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204.
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